The Rohingya issue is a new challenge to the government of

Aung San Suu Kyi after liberation from the military rule.

It can affect Myanmar’s external relations especially with its immediate neighbours, e.g.

Malaysia

It poses risk of Radicalization, Islamist extremists can take

opportunity to get a foothold in Myanmar.

It can also adversely impact the Asia Pacific, the upcoming proposed economic power house.

It can even weaken the ASEAN organization, the most successful regional organization after the EU.

Human Trafficking can be last but not the least consequence of the crisis for victims who are

trying to escape the violence

It has furthered the emergence of a new insurgent group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. ARSA is an armed guerrilla outfit commanded by Rohingyas in Saudi Arabia. It demands

the right to "self-determination within Myanmar".

Implications For Myanmar

The International communitycan give financial aid to the countries who will house the refugees.

ASEAN needs to formulate a mechanism to deal with the crisis

by equitable distribution of the refugees among member nations.

The report by the Annan-led commission, which argues for a citizenship verification process (the Rohingyas have been stripped

of citizenship under Myanmar’s 1982 citizenship law) to increase the social and economic participation of the Rohingyas,

may offer some useful suggestions.

It has led Humanitarian Crisis,the conflict areas are facing difficulty to access food and

medical care.

The Rohingya crisis is also posing a security challenge

to the South & Southeast Asia.

Implications for India

Muslim militants in Myanmar attacked on security forces in Rakhine state on 25th August, 2017. The Arakan Rohingya

Salvation Army (ARSA) claimed responsibility for the attacks. In response, Myanmar military launched the “clearance operations”

to root out ARSA which led to violence in the border region & mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Why In News?

The UN reported - An estimated over

400,000 Rohingya from Myanmar have

fled into Bangladesh since

August 25, 2017.

What is the “Current Issue”

Who are “Rohingyas” After tracing the Rohingya history since 8th century

They speak a dialect of Bengali, as opposed to the commonly spoken Burmese language

Rohingyas are found as stateless Indo Aryan people from Rakhine State Myanmar

Myanmar Nationality Law 1982 denied citizenship to Rohingya population

According the 1982 Burmese citizenship law, a Rohingyas are eligible for citizenship only if they provide proof that their ancestors have lived in the country prior to 1823. Else, they are classified

as “resident foreigners” or as “associate citizens”

Apprehensions of affecting India’s Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport project, which is aimed at developing transport infrastructure in south-west

Myanmar and India’s Northeast.

Apprehensions of alliance between the ARSA and the insurgent groups of Northeast India in their struggle for survival. Consequently it might add a new flavor to ongoing conflicts

in Northeast

India’s Balanced ApproachMyanmar & Bangladesh both are equally important to India’s counter-insurgency efforts in North East and Act East policy.

Way ForwardMyanmar can lay down the seeds for the solution along with the help of World Community.

They are an ethnic group, largely comprising Muslims

UN described them as “one of the most persecuted minorities” in the world

Apprehensions of illegal migrants to India’s

North East.

Moreover ARSA has a definite Pakistani link, is again a problem for India.

India’s stand with Myanmar

India did not criticize the conduct of Myanmar because

Under the Neighborhood First & Act East policies Myanmar assumes a key role to connect

with Southeast Asia and cut off China from the Bay of Bengal.

As per past experience India’s criticism of the military junta in the 80s and 90s had an adverse

impact on the bilateral relationship for years.

India’s criticism to Myanmar can push it closer to China.

STOP

The world community condemned the Myanmar’s counter strike as violent acts of civilian government.

U.N. described Myanmar’s strategy as “ethnic cleansing.”

India started Operation ‘Insaniyat’ to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh

due to large influx of Rohingya refugees

India’s support to Bangladesh would also strengthenthe Sheikh Hasina government, which is facing

domestic backlash by the opposition who is known for taking anti-India stands.

Bangladesh is important to India’s counter-insurgency efforts and Act East policy.

India‘s stand with Bangladesh

On the other, India has assured all possible help to Bangladesh to tackle the issue.

RAKHINE

Implications for the Region

BANGLADESH

MYANMAR

INDIA